Choosing Nord Stage 4, help!!

[cphollis]

I know the 88 looks super cool and all, but -- take it from those who've lived with these keyboards for decades -- there are pros and cons to that model. I'd never consider one for what I do.

The sound engines are identical across all the NS4s. So is aftertouch. What you're hearing from forum members here is that certain parts are much easier to play correctly on an unweighted keybed (e.g. organ, synth, etc.). It's also a lot easier to work with aftertouch on unweighted models.

Aftertouch is implemented with a foam sensor strip across the keybed. You press hard, it turns on -- it's a distinct motion. It takes a while to learn to adjust your finger pressure to engage it when you want it, and avoid it when you don't.

That's hard enough to do on an unweighted keybed, it'd be even more difficult on a weighted one, as I'm usually hammering out AP parts and similar. There's also the issue of hand strength -- it takes a while to make your hands strong enough to really rock a weighted keyboard if you haven't grown up playing real acoustic pianos.

Then again, spend enough time with most any keyboard instrument, and you can learn to do all sorts of cool stuff.

[sprazer]

If you have limited transportation, consider the melodica? Seriously,

Hahaha , I actually owe a decent melodica!!!!

like I mentioned , I only play at home and not going to be giggling in a year or two. Even I when I do I will start jamming with a friends at their house so. the stand won't be needed because they have it. I'm planing to get an electro 61D when I'm ready to do so. I'm really now sure about it. I know that knowing if the 88 hammer is able to perform the Clav in the top video would help me make the decision alot!! thanks.

I know the 88 looks super cool and all, but -- take it from those who've lived with these keyboards for decades -- there are pros and cons to that model. I'd never consider one for what I do.

That's hard enough to do on an unweighted keybed, it'd be even more difficult on a weighted one, as I'm usually hammering out AP parts and similar. There's also the issue of hand strength -- it takes a while to make your hands strong enough to really rock a weighted keyboard if you haven't grown up playing real acoustic pianos.

From the bottom of my heart, the compact one looks much cooler!!!!! I love that he control panels fill in across the space!!! and it looks portable. To me the 88 Hammer looks so bulky!!!!

The only thing that keeps me from buy the compact is I came from a piano background, play a few Chopin pieces and all movie and video game scores!! I don't consider myself a classical pianist but when I showed my mentor what I play , he said "you're definitely a classical side"

And I love the idea of having just one board. I mean buying one of the most expensive keyboards and to put in on top stack (not an ideal position to play) will make me regret it?? One thing I know that my finger strength is not a concern, I'm just worried about the playability of the specific style, specifically the percusive clavs ones!!

I'm sorry if I sound like a kid lol. I saved up really bad for this board tho : ( and it's 6k usd from where I live.

[sprazer]

I found this video


This guy plays the clavs effortlessly but he looks like he's very professional. I mean I wonder if a casual player would be able to achieve this? He didn't do the percussive tap on the keys tho. : (

[anotherscott]

Picking up from some other responses... Lots of people are stuck with having to choose between a hammer or non-hammer action, each a compromise because each is better at some things than the other. But you already have and like the ES7, so adding the NS4 Compact is likely the most sensible choice, since you'll be able to use each action for its strengths, whether playing Kawai sounds, Nord sounds, or anything else (e.g. adding sounds from another device/computer, if you so choose). As mentioned, all you have to do to play Nord sounds from your Kawai is run a single MIDI cable.

And then when you do want to travel to jam, you'll already have your light board, instead of having to shell out again for an Electro or whatever, and then not have access to all the cool capabilities of the Stage.

And I love the idea of having just one board. I mean buying one of the most expensive keyboards and to put in on top stack (not an ideal position to play) will make me regret it??

The ES7 has a nicely compact control surface, which doesn't extend far back beyond the keys themselves. Even if you wanted to keep all those controls accessible (which may or may not always be necessary), you could still rest the front of the Nord Compact directly on the Kawai, as long as you come up with a stand arrangement that will support the rear of it. It will be very playable. Remember, even a real Hammond B3 has two keyboards stacked! Alternately, one could arrange the two keyboards in some other way, e.g. at right angles. But I like the stacking approach, which gives you the added benefit of being able to actually play the pair like a 2-manual organ.